Homeowners’ Comedy of Errors Will Delight Audiences

The American Dream goes hilariously wrong in the upcoming production of George Washington Slept Here, presented by the York College theatre department one weekend only, October 18-22.

The comedy revolves around middle aged couple Newton and Annabelle Fuller. Fed up with city life, Newton impulsively buys a house in rural Pennsylvania to
fulfill his lifetime ambition to own his very own colonial farmhouse.



​Fuller's wife and daughter are less than enthused when they find the house Newton has purchased is a barely livable, crumbling wreck—broken windows, falling plaster, and a cow in the kitchen. Amidst many challenges to their relationships and pocketbook, the family begin repairs and work to build a life in the country residence where George Washington may--or may not--have slept. 

Their plans hit a snag when they discover they have spent their last penny on the house and stand in danger of defaulting on their mortgage.  Can eccentric and wealthy Aunt Stansie help them out of this fix, or is she not exactly what she seems? And with a faulty chimney that fills the house with smoke to a seriously leaky roof, will the Fullers’ marriage survive the challenges of homeownership? 

It’s a highly relatable and funny show for anyone who’s ever owned a home or had a family, according to director John Baker. “It’s about the ‘American Dream’ of having a place to take care of your family and make a life. But once you have that, you find you have all these costs and all the things that break. Everything that you’d planned so perfectly falls apart. The main characters are trying to figure out that part of life,” Baker said. 

The show was originally set in 1940, but the York College production moves the action to the present day to be more accessible to a modern audience.  The show is co-authored by Moss Hart and George S. Kauffman, who also wrote theatre classics such as You Can’t Take it With You and The Man Who Came to Dinner. “I’ve wanted to do this show for several years,” said Baker. “The other shows that I’ve done by them have been very popular with York College audiences. Hart and Kauffman wrote incredible characters--they’re normal, relatable people who are put in crazy situations. They had a magic about that kind of writing. Even decades later, their humor plays well.” George Washington Slept Here was adapted for film in 1942, starring the comedic talents of Jack Benny and Ann Sheridan.  

The York College cast features noted performers Joshua Anderson and Hannah Anderson as the leads, Newton and Annabelle Fuller. There are a number of cast members who have experience on the York College stage including Olivia Nabb, Ryan Harrison, Erin Wallgren, Lexi Martens, Amalia Miller, Austin Hackel and Deidre Freitas. There are also several newcomers in this show: Luke Dovel, Chris Martens, Paige Thomas, Simon Nabb, Nathan Lacinia, Samara Hannel, and Charity Goldsmith-Ding. Local sixth grader Charlie Van Gomple, who has performed in many shows at the Yorkshire Playhouse, also has a small role in George Washington Slept Here.  Laura Leos assistant directs.

Ticket Information
Tickets for George Washington Slept Here are $7 for students/seniors and $10 for adults. Performances will be held in the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center (1098 E 10th St.) Thursday, October 18, Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20 starting at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 22 starting at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, please visit www.york.edu/boxoffice or call (402) 363-5641. The Box Office opens two hours prior to showtime and seating begins 30 minutes before showtime. Reserved tickets must be paid for no later than 10 minutes before the show starts or they will be released for sale to other patrons. ​